Please come out to the first ever-Ghana Exchange celebration and Fundraiser! Thursday, 2/27 from 6:30-8:30pm in the South Auditorium. There will be African Food sampling, an African drumming/dance performance and other surprises. Donations accepted at the door, children 10 years and under are FREE!

Hello Parents/Guardians,

1. The Program of Studies for next year’s course registration is now online at the Newton South webpage at this link: https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/1548

2. More information on course registration will be forthcoming after we return from vacation, but for now, here is a link to the page with information for students and parents for your perusal:  https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2665

Please join us at the Help Light The Way fundraising Gala at the Sheraton-Needham Hotel, on Saturday evening, March 28  from 6-8PM.  This event will raise funds to purchase and install permanent lights for the outdoor sports stadium at Newton South High School.   The night will include a silent and live auction, as well as lots of raffles. We need your help to make this a successful event!

Please join us and purchase your Gala Tickets today!

There will be a silent and live auction with lots of wonderful options.  We’ve listed some possible items for donation below.  Please contact Penelope Nam-Stephen ([email protected]) or Bella Gelman ([email protected]) to donate items, or if you have questions.

Ways you can Help Light The Way

• Make a monetary donation to the fundraising campaign: Donate $
• Donate goods, services or vacations to our auction and raffle: Donate Goods
• Volunteer your time in one or more of many different opportunities: Volunteer
• Come to the Gala and Buy Tickets today

Below is a list of ideas for donations….be creative: (Items must be new)  Donations to Newton South Boosters are tax deductible (501(c) (3) organization).  We would be grateful for assistance during the evening of the Gala.  Please contact Bella or Penelope

• Tickets to sporting events
• Theater tickets or subscriptions
• Concert tickets
• Vacations, travel, getaway weekends, ski house stays, Disney, Islands, Europe, Boston Hotel weekends, autumn foliage trips, etc.
• Professional services: Including……dental services, skin care, photography, plumbing, electrical, kitchen design, pet sitting, landscaping services, interior design, hair styling, catering, music lessons, manicures, etc., etc.,  Be creative!
• Autographed memorabilia….sports, bands, celebrity, entertainment, noteworthy individuals and events.
• IPads, laptops, etc.
• Fitbits, headphones, ear buds, etc.
• Apple Watches
• Cell phones
• PlayStation, Xbox
• Large electronics, TV’s, sound bars, etc.
• Bicycles
• Home fitness equipment
• Health club, fitness and lifestyle memberships
• Restaurant gift cards
• Golf outings
• Lift tickets at ski mountains
• SAT/ACT prep courses
• Lottery Tickets
• Special Boston events
• Birthday party events and entertainment
• Diner cruises, Duck Tours
• Major appliances (washer, dryers, refrigertor, dishwashers)
• American Girl dolls, significant toys or theme toys
• Bucket List items and destinations

Coronavirus2020.2.4.Community Update

February 4, 2020

The following is an update regarding novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).  The risk of 2019-nCoV infection remains low for people in our area. The Newton Health and Human Services Department continues to monitor the latest information from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). This public health concern is evolving. The public can expect that recommendations may change, and that Newton HHS will provide updates as needed.

New interim public health guidance from CDC has been released: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html. This interim guidance is effective as of February 3, 2020, and does not apply retrospectively to people who have been in China during the previous 14 days and are already in the United States, or those being managed as part of a contact investigation. This means that people who returned from China before February 3 and who remain free of symptoms compatible with 2019-nCoV infection (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) are not restricted from activities (school, work, etc.) at this time.

Going forward, people returning from China will fly into pre-designated airports to be screened by CDC. These travelers will be evaluated for symptoms and receive instructions about isolation or quarantine based on their situation and the new guidance. Logan International Airport is not one of the airports designated by CDC to receive travelers from China.  Anyone who recently returned from China and develops a fever, cough or has difficulty breathing is instructed to seek medical care right away; call ahead before going to see a doctor or emergency room; and tell them your symptoms and that you were in China.

CDC does not recommend wearing masks at school or in the community at this time.
The risk of influenza remains higher than the risk of 2019-nCoV infection for people in this area. The following precautionary actions will help prevent respiratory viruses, including seasonal influenza and Coronavirus:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The best place for the latest nationwide updates is directly from CDC at www.cdc.gov/nCoV. Massachusetts updates from MDPH are available at https://www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.
The Newton HHS department will post local updates to the City of Newton website at www.newtonma.gov.
Questions about coronavirus may be directed to the city’s Health and Human Services Department at (617) 796-1420.

The PTSO will be hosting 2 sessions for  All Grade Parent/Guardian Socials on:

• Friday, February 28th from 7:45-9AM at Newton South Teacher/Faculty Lounge.
• Tuesday, March 3rd from 7:30-9:30PM at 111 Lincoln St, Newton MA 02461

These informal socials are an opportunity for our South parent community to meet as parents to ask questions, discuss issues, and get to know each other.  We have no set agenda, other than socializing and checking in with each other on how South Parents/Children are navigating our high school experience at South.  Parents are welcome to come to fit their schedules.

If you are a parent of recent graduate, junior, or current senior who would be willing to share their South experience at this social, please contact May Chiu, PTSO co-President [email protected]. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone in our South Community who helped support the Nick Whitman gofundme campaign reach it’s $15,000 goal – and help make this honor for Nick – Always Takes a Village!

GoFundMe On November 13th, 2019, we tragically lost Nick Whitman to cancer. Nick was an amazing human being, best remembered for his cheerful sense of humor and tenderhearted character. He was loved by his family, friends, and everyone lucky enough to meet him. Cold Spring Park was dear in Nick’s heart; he spent countless hours there with his friends. We plan to commemorate him at Cold Spring Park with a repaved court and a bench with a plaque in his honor. To raise the necessary funds to honor Nick and complete these projects in time for a Spring Ceremony, we would be grateful if you could make a donation and share the link. We have reached out to the city and expect this project to cost about $15,000. Every donation will help pave the way to honor Nick.  

Happy Valentines Day, Happy Winter Break!

The PTSO needs 2 volunteers on Thursday, February 13th from 2:15 to 3:30PM to help distribute 1200 carnations to students.   The PTSO provides for surprise student appreciation events throughout the year.  If you are able to help out on this event, please email Lisa Danetz or May Chiu at [email protected]

Please note the MCAS special schedule for Tuesday, February 11. 

Freshmen will be starting school at 7:40am.  Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors have late arrival at 10:05AM.

MCAS Infrastructure Trial Feb 11, 2020